Squishys are soft foam toys, also known as anti-stress toys or compression toys.
They has multiple designs and colors and their main characteristic is that they go back to
their original shape after squishing and deforming them.
Their name comes for the verb squeeze.
They are, originally, from Japan, but from 2016 onwards they started becoming more and
more popular in Social Networks and they have become a global phenomenon.
Now, we can find them in stores all around the world.
The variety of shapes and colors is almost infinite, up to the point that they have become
collectibles.
There are Squishys of animals, food, caricatures, famous characters…
Their dimensions go all the way from a key chain size to giant Squishys, with the size
of a watermelon.
They are also sold in packs of 10 or 20 units, with the surprise that you don’t know what
Squishy you are gonna be getting.
Most of them are made of a rubber foam call polyurethane.
It was invented by the german chemist Otto Bayer in 1937, and it has multiple applications
in our daily lives, such the manufacturing of refrigerators, furniture, shoes, automobiles…
and it stands out as a great insulation for construction.
Some of them are so perfect that they even have the smell of the product they imitate,
and they spread the fragrance when we squeeze them.However, Squishys dont really last long,
and they can get spoiled very easily.
When continuously exposed to the sun, for example, they can lose their smell and color,
and with time, they get deformed.
Squiskys remind us of the typical stress balls for adults, but in a way cuter version.
Their adorable appearance, the fact that they can be collectible, and the pleasure we feel
when we squeeze them once and again are part of their charm.
The slower they go back to their original shape, the better - its one of the most sought
for qualities, apart from how cute they are.
In Japan, they were known as Kawaii Squishes.
Kawaii is an adjective we could translate as cute or adorable.
They make reference to a whole culture present in that country that adores what we know as
“cute”, and introduces it in their every day life - government advertising, ads, means
of transport… creating a shoking effect for those who dont know their culture.
Tho, as we were saying, their most valued quality is their anti-stress effect.
It’s been proved by different studies that the contact with some inanimate objects, like
stuffed animals, can soothe fear and anxiety.
This is why, squeeshing a Squishy gives us a feeling of calm and peace.
And their smell can intensify that effect.
They can also be used as help when we are doing static tasks that need of a high concentration,
like office work.
By squeezing a Squishy we will not only relax, but also focus our attention better.
They are known as the new Spinners, not only because of these effects, but because they
have become a similar sales phenomenon, replacing them in the market as the new fashionable
toy - it’s highly likely that they will become the star this Christmas.
And not only among kids!
They are so fun and practical that it wouldnt surprise us to see adults playing with them
as well!
This phenomenon was born, of course, in Social Networks, where videos playing with them started
becoming popular.Only on Instagram, for instance, there are more than 2.5 million posts with
the hashtag #squishy.
On Youtube, tutorials on how to make your own Squishy have also become popular.
Same as when making slime, there are several methods, but there are two that are mostly
used over the others: using spongy material such as stuffing for pillows or mattresses,
and shape it afterwards with scissors - or making a home-made foam, basically out of
silicone, glue,bicarb and contact lens solution.
Tho, another option is buying one of the many DIY kits they sell.
If you want us to make a tutorial on how to make squishy, like this video and leave us
a comment!
There are plenty of toy brands dedicated to sell Squishys.
One of the most popular ones is Soft’n Slo Squishies.
They started producing them, succesfully, in 2017, and the year after they already had
their own series on Youtube and cable platforms.
On the other hand, we also have Tsum Tsum, Disney’s brand to sell Squiskies based on
their own characters and those of the Marvel and Star Wars franchises.
However, Squishys can also have a negative side.
This 2018, as a result of several studies, it’s been said that some types of squishies
can harm our health, due to some materials they are made of, especially if we take them
to our mouth.
It’s very important for us to always make sure toys follow the current regulations and
pay attention to their recommended age.
Squishies are captivating.
If you dont have one close by, you can always enjoy them through the thousands of videos
on Youtube and Instagram.
Tho, personally, we recommend you to get one, the experience IS worth it.
In fact… this video was drawn while we were squeezing one!